This is considered a milestone for the calf, as he has been steadily gaining weight -- which is now up to nearly 30 pounds or about a pound a day -- and learning to navigate the waters of a shallower area.

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Baby Pygmy Hippo SWIMS!!

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Rare baby pygmy hippo takes first deep-water swim

(Photo via Zoos Victoria)

(Photo via Zoos Victoria)

(Photo via Zoos Victoria)

(Photo via Zoos Victoria)

(Photo via Zoos Victoria)

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Zookeepers have named him Obi, which means "heart" in a Nigerian language, and he is the first pygmy hippo to be born at the zoo in around 34 years.

The species is considered to be endangered, but it is difficult to calculate the exact number that exist since they generally live in dense rainforests.

Zookeepers plan to introduce Obi into breeding program after he matures.